If you’ve ever craved those soft, dreamy, and vibrantly frosted cookies from your local bakery, you’re in for a treat. This Lofthouse Cookies Recipe with Frosting and Sprinkles Recipe captures that iconic, pillow-soft texture with creamy frosting and a sprinkle of fun on top. It’s a perfect go-to when you want to brighten up an afternoon or share a little sweet joy with friends and family.
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Why You’ll Love This
This recipe nails that fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth cookie base that’s slightly tangy with sour cream, topped with a luscious, buttery frosting bursting with color. It’s a nostalgic favorite made fresh at home, perfect for celebrations or just because.
- Reliable Texture, Great Flavor: Using sour cream in the dough keeps these cookies tender and soft while the combination of baking powder and soda creates the perfect rise.
- Crisp–Golden Finish: A quick bake at 350°F gives the cookies just a touch of golden color around edges without sacrificing that tender crumb.
- Pantry-Friendly Ingredients: You likely have all you need already, so no unexpected ingredient runs mid-baking.
- Weeknight Easy, Weekend Worthy: Whip up the dough ahead and have colorful cookies ready within half an hour on busy days or slow weekends alike.
Ingredient Snapshot
Picking the right quality ingredients makes all the difference in this Lofthouse Cookies Recipe with Frosting and Sprinkles Recipe. A bit of attention and these humble staples come together beautifully to give you that bakery-style treat at home.
- Granulated Sugar: Opt for fine granulated sugar to help create that light, fluffy cookie texture.
- Butter (softened): Use unsalted butter at room temperature for better control of salt and smooth creaming action.
- Sour Cream (full fat): This brings moisture and tang that's key for tender, tender cookies.
- All-Purpose Flour: Fresh flour makes the best dough; too old and cookies can turn flat or dry.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These work together to provide lift without toughness.
- Powdered Sugar: For frosting, sifted powder sugar ensures a silky smooth finish without gritty spots.
- Food Coloring & Sprinkles: Choose vibrant gel colors for frosting and fun sprinkles to top — these make your cookies pop visually.
Quick Note: Exact measurements are in the printable recipe card at the bottom.
How to Make Lofthouse Cookies Recipe with Frosting and Sprinkles Recipe
Step 1 — Set Up & Season
First things first, get your butter properly softened—it should give just a bit with gentle pressure but not be greasy or melting. Cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together in your mixer on medium speed until the mixture is pale, light, and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. You’ll notice the color lighten and the texture shift — this step sets the stage for that melt-in-your-mouth softness later on. Next, add the eggs, sour cream, and vanilla extract and beat until everything is well combined. If you want colorful cookies, now’s the time to add food coloring. Remember, the color will mellow when the dry ingredients join the party.
Step 2 — Mix Dry Ingredients and Combine
In a separate bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Then gradually add this dry mix to your wet ingredients, blending at a low speed just until everything’s combined. You’ll get a dough that’s soft and a bit sticky—that's perfect for this type of cookie. Transfer the dough to an airtight container and pop it in the refrigerator for at least an hour. Chilling helps the dough firm up and improves the handling when you’re scooping and shaping the cookies.
Step 3 — Bake and Frost for Best Texture
Preheat your oven to 350°F, and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking. Remove your chilled dough and scoop out golf ball-sized portions using a cookie scoop. If the dough is still sticky, lightly dust your hands with flour. Shape the dough into smooth balls, place them about 2 inches apart on the baking sheets, and gently flatten each with your hand. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes—the cookies will puff up and develop a slight golden edge. Let them cool on the baking sheet for at least 10 minutes before frosting to keep them intact.
For frosting, beat softened butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy—about 2 to 3 minutes. Mix in vanilla and add milk or cream a tablespoon at a time to reach that creamy, spreadable consistency. Add food coloring for festive hues. You can pipe the frosting with a bag or spread it with an offset spatula, then sprinkle liberally with your favorite toppings. A quick heads-up: this frosting stays soft, so avoid stacking your cookies to keep them looking their best.
Smart Little Tips
Having made these cookies countless times, I’ve learned little tricks that really help you get bakery-quality results at home without fuss.
- Doneness Cue: The cookies should be puffed, lightly golden around edges, but still soft in the center when you pull them out.
- Temperature Trick: Always chill your dough before baking—warm dough spreads too much and loses that perfect shape and texture.
- Make-Ahead Move: You can prepare the cookie dough up to 24 hours ahead; just keep it tightly sealed in the fridge until baking.
- Avoid This Pitfall: Don’t overbake! It’s tempting to leave them longer for crispiness, but these cookies shine with their tender softness.
Serving Ideas
Finishing Touches
The frosting and sprinkles truly make this Lofthouse Cookies Recipe with Frosting and Sprinkles Recipe pop. I love using gel food coloring because it gives an intense, vivid look without watering down the frosting. And don’t be shy with sprinkles; they add that extra cheerful texture and a slight crunch that balances the soft cookie and creamy frosting beautifully.
Pair It With
These cookies shine on their own, but pairing them with a glass of cold milk or a cup of rich coffee really elevates the experience. I often serve them alongside fresh berries or a simple fruit salad to cut through the sweetness, bringing a bit of fresh brightness to the plate.
Easy Plating Upgrades
For casual gatherings or gifting, arranging the cookies stacked on a pretty platter with a few sprigs of mint adds an inviting touch. For a birthday party or festive occasion, try using themed sprinkles or edible glitter to make these cookies the star of the celebration. I once lined them up in colorful rows on a wooden board for a birthday breakfast surprise—it was a hit!
Make-Ahead, Store & Reheat
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature if you plan to enjoy them within 2-3 days. If refrigerated, they’ll last about a week but may lose a bit of their tender texture. To keep them fresh and soft, layering cookies between sheets of parchment paper works wonders and prevents sticking.
Freezing Tips
These cookies freeze well if you want to save some for later. Freeze undecorated cookie dough balls on a tray first, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. You can also freeze fully baked and frosted cookies, but it’s best to wrap them carefully to protect the frosting. Thaw at room temperature before serving to enjoy that tender texture fully.
Reheating Lofthouse Cookies Recipe with Frosting and Sprinkles Recipe Without Drying Out
To refresh your cookies, I like to gently warm them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes—this keeps them soft without melting the frosting too much. If you’re using a microwave, zap them for 10-15 seconds on low power; just be careful because too long makes them gummy. An air fryer can work, too: 320°F for 3-4 minutes is usually enough to revive that just-baked softness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! You can prepare the frosting a day ahead and store it tightly covered in the fridge. Just let it come to room temperature and give it a quick whip before spreading it on your cookies.
Sour cream adds moisture and a slight tang that balances the sweetness. It also contributes to the soft, tender crumb characteristic of Lofthouse cookies.
Yes, you can use natural colorings like beet juice or matcha powder, but keep in mind those may subtly change the flavor and intensity of the color.
Usually, dough that’s too warm or lacking enough flour will spread excessively. Make sure to chill your dough well and measure your flour accurately for best results.
Final Thoughts
Making this Lofthouse Cookies Recipe with Frosting and Sprinkles Recipe has become a must in my kitchen whenever friends drop by or when I want to feel a little nostalgic. They’re approachable yet special, and with the frosting and sprinkles, they bring that festive cheer kids and adults alike adore. With these tips and step-by-step instructions, you’re all set to nail that bakery experience right at home—happy baking, my friend!
PrintPrint Recipe
Lofthouse Cookies Recipe with Frosting and Sprinkles Recipe
Classic Lofthouse Cookies with soft, fluffy texture and vibrant frosting. These colorful sugar cookies are perfect for celebrations and feature a rich butter-based dough topped with creamy, smooth frosting and sprinkles for garnish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Cookies
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 12 tablespoon butter softened
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup full fat sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Food coloring (optional)
Frosting
- 12 tablespoon butter softened
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 tablespoon milk or cream
- Food coloring (optional)
- Sprinkles for garnish
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Cream the sugar and butter together with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add eggs, sour cream, and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture and mix well to combine. Add food coloring as desired; color will lighten after dry ingredients are added.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix thoroughly.
- Chill Dough: Transfer dough to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up, as the dough will be soft and sticky.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Shape Cookies: Remove dough from fridge and scoop dough balls approximately golf ball size, shaping them into smooth balls. If sticky, dust hands with flour. Place dough balls on baking sheets at least 2 inches apart. Gently flatten each ball slightly.
- Bake Cookies: Bake for 12 minutes, until cookies puff and edges lightly brown. Remove baking sheets and allow cookies to cool on sheets for at least 10 minutes on wire racks.
- Make Frosting: Cream butter and powdered sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add vanilla extract and mix well. Add milk or cream 1 tablespoon at a time if frosting is stiff. Add food coloring to desired shade and mix thoroughly.
- Frost Cookies: Pipe frosting onto cooled cookies or spread with an offset spatula. Garnish with sprinkles immediately after frosting.
- Storage Note: Since frosting remains soft, avoid stacking cookies to prevent smudging.
Notes
- For easier handling of sticky dough, dust hands with flour when shaping.
- Chilling dough is essential to ensure proper texture and easier shaping.
- Use silicone mats or parchment paper to prevent cookies from sticking.
- Adjust frosting consistency with milk or cream one tablespoon at a time for the perfect spreadable texture.
- Store cookies in a single layer to maintain frosting appearance.
- Feel free to customize colors with food coloring for festive occasions.
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